Electric laundry-iron.



E. H. RICHARDSON.

ELECTRIC LAUNDRY IRON.

APPLIGATION FILED FEB.15, 1909.

Patented Jan. 11,1910.

I I 474 I,

' mT nf sT rEs PATENT OFFICE.

EARL H. n cHAnnsoN, or oNr' nIo, CALiroRNIA, ASSIGNOR 'ro rACIr CELECTRIC HEATING coMrANY, or ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION.

ELECTRIC LAUNDRY-IRON;

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 11,

Application filed February 1909.' Serial No. 478,093.

h To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EARL H. RICHARDSON,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Ontario, in the county ofSan Bernardino and State of California, have invented a new and usefulElectric Laundry-Iron, of which the following is a specification,

This invention relates to electric laundry irons and has for its objectto improve the construction of the same, one of the principal objectsbeing to provide an improved devicefor automatically breaking thecircuit through the heating element when the temperature of the ironreaches a. certain degree, it being desirable to construct this circuitcontrolling device in as simple a form as possible and yet secure apositive and reliable operation thereof with thenceessary accuracy. I

A further object is to provide improved means for holding the heatingelements in position and for permitting the removal of one element, ifdesired, for repair, without disturbing the other element.

A further object is to improve the construction of the hood whichprotects the terminals.

Referrin to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a vertical l ongitudi-nal sectionthrough the iron. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the iron with the coverremoved, the hood being shown in dotted lines. line 00 a2 Fig. 2,looking in the direction of thearrow. To render the view perfectlclearthe back-ground has been omitte F ig; 4 is a horizontal section on lineae*-m Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the hood. Fi 6 is aperspective view of the ratchet. ig. 7 is a section on line :r-x Fig. 1.

The iron comprises a body portion I having afiat sole 2, toe 3, and heelcorners 4. The body portion is hollow, as shown, and in the toe it isprovided with an extra 'metal portion 5, and in each corner of the heelIt is. rovided with an extra metal portion 6. T e 'toe portion 5is boredout to receive two round plugs 7, arranged close together, while eachheel corner portion 6 is provided with a similar'plug7. Each of theplugs 7 is slotted to receive a tongue 8 formed on the end'of a core 9,on which is wound reing elements and cores 9 are thus held in Fig. 3 isa vertical section on displacement by the engagement of the tongues 8 inthe slotted plugs 7, the tongues 8 fitting closely therein in order togive a good heat conduction, and the entire surface of each heatingelement rests flatly on the bottom of the iron, as clearly shown in Fig.3. Each core 9 is preferably formed of copper or brass in order to givea good conduction of heat generated by the resistance wire, and theplugs 7 are also preferably of the same material, so that the heatgenerated by the resistance wire 10 is conducted to the toe and heelcorners in greater amount than to the central part of the body.

In order to hold the heating units in close Contact with the bottom ofthe body 1 a clamping plate 11 is provided, the central portion of whichis depressed, thus formin two wings 12 which rest upon the tops of thetwo heating units, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, there being micainsulation 0; between the wings and WIIG. The clamping plate 11 isdetachably secured to the body 1 by a screw 13 which engages a boss 14pro jecting up from the bottom of the body 1. In order to stiffen theplate 11 it is formed at the rear'with an upwardly directed flange 15the ends of which, as shown in Fig. 3, for the greater part abut theinclined portions 16 of the plate. The pressure of the plate 11 isdirected downward against the heating units and does not produce anylateral pressure thereon, the heating units being held against lateraldisplacement by'the engagement of the tongues 8 in slotted plugs 7. In

7 this manner the entire lower surfaces of the heating units are kept incontact with the bottom of the'iron and heat is conducted readilythereto. Mica plates 17 are arranged between the heating units and thebottom of the body 1, while'the cores 9 are also insulated from the wire10 by mice 18. The rear ends of the wires 9 are connected with bindingposts 19 which extend through the rear wallQO of the body 1., The frontends 21 of the wires 9 are secured by nuts and washers 22 on a stud 23which passes up through the front end of the-plate 11 the stud 23' beinginsulated from the platell by insulatin washers 24, and the hole throughwhic the stud 23 passes is made larger than the stud sothat contact ofthe studwith the plate 11 is avoided. This manner of con-- necting thetwo heating units and of holding the two heating units in the ironenables either heating unit to bereadily removed without disturbing theother by unscrewing nuts 22 which releases the wire end 21 of the unitto be removed, then by unscrewing the screw 13 plate 11 may be removedand the unit lifted out of the iron after detaching its wire from theterminal 19. Heretofore the wire ends 21 have been connected by simplytwisting them together and when one unit was to be removed it wasnecessary to untwist the wire'ends 21 which frequently caused the wireto break and then both heating units had to be rewound or replaced. Withthe present construction, however, if only one heating unit needs to bereplaced it may be removed and replaced without in any way disturbingthe other. Heretofore the plugs 7 have been slightly headed over thetongues 8 to hold the units in position which render the removal of aunit somewhat diflicult, which is now avoided by the use of the plate 11which obviates heading the plug 7 so that when the plate 11 is removedthe tongues 8 may slide up out of the plug 7.

The cover 25 is secured to the body by three screws 26 and is insulatedfrom the body by an asbestos plate 27. Attached to the cover is a bail28 which is formed of sheet metal with an inverted trough shaped lowerportion 29 and flattened vertical projections 30 to which latter thehandle 31 is secured. Each end of-the lower trough shaped portion 29 issecured by screws 32 to a front lug 33 and rear lugs 34 both of whichare cast on the cover 25. Near its rear end the trough shaped portion 29is formed with two circular bends 35 to form an enlargement for apurpose to be described. Cast with the rear lugs 34, as clearly shown inFigs. 4 and 1 is a strap 36 which forms a support to slidably receivethe switch plug 37. The strap 36 is cast with two lugs 38, as clearlyshown in Fi s. 4'and 1. Attached by screws 39 to the ugs 34 is a hood40, shown in detail in Fig. 5, having an imperforate back plate 41 andhaving a bottom plate 42 the latter being of such a width that a space43 isformed which permits air to circulate within the hood, the aircirculation being aided by large notches 44 which are cut in the sidewalls 45 of the hood. Projecting from'the back plate 41 are two lugs 46.The hood 41 and stra 36 act as a stand for the iron, which stan is keptout of contact with the support by means of the lugs 46 and 38. The hood41 also acts as a housing to protect two terminal blades 47 with whichthe connection plu 37 makes electrical connection when in itslowestposition, as shown in Fig.1, there being a flange 48 which abuts againstthe strap 36 and acts as a stop to limit the downward movement of theplug.

The lower end of the plug 37 rests upon the end of a lever 49 whichextends along in the trough shaped portion 29 being pivoted at 50thereto. In the present embodiment a series of leaf springs 51 areriveted to the under sidb of the lever 49 and bear against a bridge 52formed on the trough shaped portion 29 thus exerting an upward pressureon the lever 49. The lever 49 has two ribs 53 forming sharp teeth whichare engaged by a cupped ratchet 54 having crown teeth 55. The ratchet 54has a central orifice 56 with two notches 57 which notches permanentlyengage opposite edges of a twisted or spiral blade 58, the latterpassing up freely through a large hole 59, shown by dotted lines in Fig.4, in the lever 49, the blade 58 being secured to the upper end of avertical shaft 60 which extends into a well 61 in which is a fusiblematerial 62, the shaft 60 having a blade 63 which is immersed therein.The upper part of the well 61 is closed by a thimble 64 which alsoserves as a bearing for the shaft 60.

When the plug 37 is in its lowest position with the lever 49 depressedand the springs 57 under tension the lever is maintained in such lowerposition by a downward pressure exerted on it by the ratchet 54, and.the ratchet 54 in turn is prevented from upward movement by thecurvature of the spiral blade 58, and the latter is incapable of upwardmovement. Manifestly in order for the ratchet 54 to move upwardly eitherthe blade 58 must turn or else the ratchet 54 must turn. Inasmuch as theratchet 54 is prevented from turning by the teeth 53, and as at thistime the blade 58 cannot turn, the ratchet 54 is prevented from upwardmovement, and thus the lever 49 is held in depressed position with plug37 closing the circuit through the heating units. When the fusiblematerial 62 melts or softens to a certain consistency on account of heatimparted to it from the iron the shaft 60 is enabled to turn and at'@such time the upward pressure of springs 51 act against lever 49 and thelatter in turn moves up the ratchet 54, and as thearatchet 54 isprevented from turning by teeth 53, its notches 57 impart rotation tothe twisted blade 58 thereby turning the shaftl60. It will be understoodthat this action takes place with great rapidity when the temperature ofthe iron reaches a degree so that-the fusible material softens, and inpractice. the connection plug 37 is snapped from the terminals 47 thusmaking a quick break of the circuit and preventing 53, but preventingforward rotation-of the" ratchet and thus the lever is held from upwardmovement atany point. It should be fully pressed down by the plug sothat the plug will make full connection with the ter-.

minals. The weight of the ratchet 54: is suiticient to keep it inoperative position resting against the lever 49. Obviously the plug 37may manually belifted to break the circuit at any time desired and whenit is so lifted by hand or automatically lifted by the thcrmic device,just described, it remains slidably supported in the strap 36, althoughit may at any time be removed therefrom, if desired, by pulling it outfarther.

Should it be desired to release thelever other than by theautomaticaction described. it may be done manually-by inserting a rod orstick between lugs34 and pressing against the end of lever 49 to relievethe spring produced pressure between the ratchet teeth and teeth 53,then by inverting the iron the ratchet 54 will drop awa-y by gravityfrom the lever 49 and teeth 53 turning backward on the twisted blade,whereupon the lever will be moved out by the spring.

What I claim is 1. In an electric laundry iron, a hollow body, aplurality ofelectric heating units therein, means engaging the ends ofthe units for preventing their lateral movement in either direction, anda plate above the bottom of the body and detachably secured thereto,said heating units being interposed between said plate and the bottom ofsaid body, whereby said plate exerts a vertical downward pressure onsaid units, holding them in close contact with the bottom of the body. y

'2. In an electric laundry iron, a hollowbody, a plurality of heatingunits therein, each unit comprising a core and wire wound thereon, saidbody being provided with means having notches engaging the ends of saidcores preventing lateral movement of the cores, and a plate supportedupon the top of said heating units and detachably.

secured to said body.

3. In an electric laundry iron, a hollow body, a plurality ofheatingunits therein, each unit comprising a core with wire woundthereon, the end of each core having a tongue, means on said bodyprovided with notches for receiving said tongues, a plate having adeprssed central portion with wings oneach side thereof bearing upon the.top. of said heating units, said plate having and thereby electricallyconnected.

at its rear an upwardly directed flange stilfening the plate, andmeans'detachably fastening the plate to the body.

at. In an'electric laundry iron, aplurality of heatingunits therein,each comprising a core with wire wound thereon, a plate hearing againstthe units and detachably secured to said body, a binding post mounted onand insulated from said plate.the wires from each of said units beingsecured to said 7 binding post and thereby electrically connected.

5. In an electriclaundry iron, a plurality of heating units eachcomprising a core. with i wire wound thereon, a body containing saidheating units, a binding post rigidly supported inside said body andinsulated therefro n'i, the ends of the wires of'the heating units beingattached to said binding post 6. In an electric laundry iron, a body,electric heating means therein, a circuit dos-- ing device, and meansfor controlling the same comprising a confined-fusible material, a shaftembedded therein, a twisted blade on the shaft, a ratchet bodilyslidable on the twisted blade, and means engaged by the ratchet andhaving operative connection withsaid circuit closing device. f

7. In-an electric laundry iron, at body, electric heating meanstherein,a circuit closing device therefor, a spring pressed lever foractuating-the circuit closing device, a confined fusible material, ashaft embedded therein, a twisted blade on the shaft, a ratchet slidableon the twisted blade, and teeth on said lever engaging said ratchet.

8. In an electric laundry iron, a body, electric heating means therein,terminals for the electricheating means, a plug slidably mounted on thebody for controlling the circuit through said terminals, a pivoted leverextending into engagement with the plug, a spring for actuating saidlever, a Well within the body, a fusible material in the well, a

shaft in the fusible material, a twisted blade. on the shaft extendingfreely through said lever, and a ratchet slidable on said twisted bladewith its teeth engaging said lever.

9. In an electric laundry iron, a body, elect'ric heating means therein,terminals for the electric heating means, a switch plug slidably mountedon the bodyand adapted to control the circuit through said terminals, aspring pressed lever engaging said plug, a well, a thimble closing theupper end thereof and forming a bearing. a shaft journaled in saidbearing and extending into the well, a fusible material in the well, awing on the shaft normally anchored in said fusible material, a twistedblade on said shaft extending freely through said lever, a cuppedratchet having crown teeth and provided with a central ori' fice withdiametrically arranged notches,

said notches engaging the edges of the twisted blade, and teeth formedon said lever engaging the teeth of the ratchet.

10. In an electric laundry iron, a body, electric heating means therein,a cover secured to the body, said cover having a forward lug and rearlugs, the rear lugs being cast with a strap forming a switch plugsupport, a bail formed of sheet metal with a lower trough shaped portionsecured to the front lug and to the two rear lugs, said bail havingupright extensions, and a handle secured thereto. Y

11. In an electric laundry iron, a body, electric heating means therein,a cover secured to the body, said cover having a forward lug and rearlugs, the rear lu s being cast with a strap forming a switchp'Iugsupport, a bail formed of sheet metal with a lower trough shapedportion secured to the front lugand to the two rear lugs, said bailhaving upright extensions, a handle secured thereto, said trough shapedportion having at the rear two circular bends forming an interiorcavity, a ratchet in said cavity, a

' lever pivoted in said trough portion and having means engaging saidratchet, a fusible material, a shaft therein, a twisted blade on theshaft, said blade extending through said i lever.

12. In an electric laundry iron, a body,

electric heating means therein, terminals for the heating means outsidethe body, and a hood secured to the body, said hood having a back plateand a bottom plate with lugs projecting from the back plate.

13. In an electric laundry iron, a body, electric heating means therein,terminals for the heating means outside the body, a hood secured to thebody, said hood having a back plate and a bottom plate with lugsprojecting from the back plate, a coverfor the body, lugs cast on thecover united by a strap cast therewith, and lugs on said strap.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Ontario Californiathis 6th day of February 1909.

EARL H. RICHARDSON.

In presence of- EDMUND L. CoLLmG', G. W. NICHOLS.

